Classic Poem

Composed for a confiding Brother, for the benefit and edification of the Faithfull Ones.

From Villany drest in the Doublet of Zeal,
From three Kingdomes bak'd in one Common weal,
From a gleek of Lord Keepers of one poor Seal,
Libera nos, &c .

From a Chancery-writ, and a whip and a bell,
From a Justice of Peace that never could spell,
From Collonet P . and the Vicar of Hell ,
Libera nos, &c .

From Neat's feet without socks, and three-peny Pyes.
From a new sprung Light that will put out ones eyes,
From Goldsmiths-hall, the Devil, and Excise.
Libera nos, &c .

From two hours talk without one word of sense,
From Liberty still in the future tense,
From a Parliament long-wasted Conscience,
Libera nos, &c .

From a Coppid Crown-tenent prick'd up by a Brother,
From damnable Members, and fits of the Mother,
From Ears like Oysters that grin at each other,
Libera nos, &c .

From a Preacher in buff, and a Quarter-staff-steeple,
From th' unlimited Soveraigne Power of the People,
From a Kingdom that crawles on its knees like a Creeple.
Libera nos, &c .

From a vinegar Priest on a Crab-tree stock,
From a foddering of Prayer four hours by the Clock.
From a holy Sister with a pittifull Smock,
Libera nos, &c .

From a hunger-starv'd Sequestrators maw,
From Revelations and Visions that never man saw.
From Religion without either Gospel or Law,
Libera nos, &c .

From the Nick and Froth of a Peny Pot-house,
From the Fiddle and Crosse, and a great Scotch Louse,
From Committees that chop up a Man like a Mouse,
Libera nos, &c .

From broken shins, and the blood of a Martyr,
From the Titles of Lords, and Knights of the Garter,
From the teeth of mad-dogs, and a Country mans quarter,
Libera nos, &c .

From the Publique Faith, and an Egg & Butter,
From the Irish Purchasers, and all their clutter,
From Omega's nose, when he fettles to sputter,
Libera nos, &c .

From the zeal of Old Harry lock'd up with a Whore,
From waiting with Plaints at the Parliament dore,
From the death of a King without why or wherefore,
Libera nos, &c .

From the French disease, and the Puritan fry,
From such as nere swear, but devoutly can lye,
From cutting of capers full three story high,
Libera nos, &c .

From Painted glass, and Idolatrous cringes,
From a Presbyters Oath that turns upon hinges,
From Westminster Jews with Levitical fringes,
Libera nos, &c .

From all that is said, and a thousand times more,
From a Saint, and his Charity to the Poor,
From the Plagues that are kept for a Rebel in store,
Libera nos, &c .

The Second Part.

That if it please thee to assist
Our Agitators , and their List,
And Hemp them with a gentle twist,
Quaesumus te, &c .

That it may please thee to suppose
Our actions are as good as those
That gull the People through the Nose,
Quaesumus te, &c .

That it may please thee here to enter,
And fix the rumbling of our center,
For we live all at peradventure,
Quaesumus te, &c .

That it may please thee to unite
The flesh and bones unto the sprite,
Else Faith and literature good night.
Quaesumus te, &c .

That it may please thee O that wee
May each man know his Pedigree,
And save that plague of Heraldry,
Quaesumus te, &c .

That it may please thee in each Shire
Cities of refuge Lord to rear,
That failing Brethren may know where,
Quaesumus te, &c .

That it may please thee to abhor us,
Or any such dear favour for us,
That thus have wrought thy peoples sorrows,
Quaesumus te, &c .

That it may please thee to embrace
Our dayes of thanks and fasting face,
For robbing of thy holy place,
Quaesumus te, &c .

That it may please thee to adjourn
The day of judgement, least we burn,
For lo it is not for our turn,
Quaesumus te, &c .

That it may please thee to admit
A close Committee there to sit,
No Devil to a Humane wit!
Quaesumus te, &c .

That it may please thee to dispence
A little for convenience,
Or let us play upon the sense,
Quaesumus te, &c .

That it may please thee to embalm
The Saints in Robin Wisdom's Psalm ,
And make them musical and calm,
Quaesumus te, &c .

That it may please thee, since 'tis doubt
Satan cannot throw Satan out,
Unite us and the Highland rout,
Quaesumus te, &c .